013-13 Elimination of “Tonnage” in the Registration and Title System (RTS)

Registration and Title Bulletin - #013-13

Date: May 28, 2013

To: All County Tax Assessor-Collectors

Subject: Elimination of “Tonnage” in the Registration and Title System (RTS)

PURPOSE

To provide guidance on how to determine “carrying capacity” as a result of the elimination of “tonnage” in RTS, that is part of the upcoming RTS Release 7.2.0, scheduled for June 2013.

DETAILS

The vehicle owner, or title applicant, should be asked to provide the vehicle’s “carrying capacity,” as needed. The chart below may be used as a guide for a minimum carrying capacity for trucks, based on the empty weight, if the owner or applicant cannot provide the vehicle’s carrying capacity.

Empty Weight orShipping Weight

MinimumCarrying Capacity

6,000 lbs. or less

1,000 lbs.

6,001 - 7,500 lbs.

1,500 lbs.

7,501 - 10,000 lbs.

2,000 lbs.

10,001 - 14,000 lbs.

3,000 lbs.

14,001 - 16,000 lbs.

4,000 lbs.

16,001 - 19,500 lbs.

5,000 lbs.

19,501 - 26,000 lbs.

6,000 lbs.

26,001 - 33,000 lbs.

7,000 lbs.

Heavy vehicles with a gross weight of more than 33,000 lbs. should be processed as usual.

A vehicle accompanied by a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) may be titled using the “Gross Vehicle Weight Rating” (GVWR), as shown on the MCO. The empty weight, or shipping weight, may be subtracted from the GVWR to obtain the carrying capacity.

COUNTY ACTION

Use the chart as a guide, only when the owner/applicant cannot provide a carrying capacity. The gross weight of a vehicle should not exceed the GVWR on a MCO; and, the carrying capacity should not be less than the manufacturer's rated carrying capacity.

CONTACT

If you have questions, please contact your local TxDMV Regional Service Center.